lechner



u e h q m e e h S 3 R. E N H C E L M E (No Model.)

MINING MACHINE.

No. 432,754. Patented July 22, 1890.

O\..OOOOODOO0DOOOOOO0OO NVE'NTH (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. F. lVI. LECHNER.

MINING MACHINE.

No. 432,754. Patented July 22, 1890i.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. F. M. LECHNER.

MINING MACHINE.

No. 432,754. Patented July 22, 1890.

ITNEBSES rrICE.

d.arent FRANCIS M. LECHNER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LECHNER 'ELECTRIC MINING MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

WilNlNGjMACHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,754, dated July 22, 1890. Application filed March 3l, 1890.v Serial No. 345,968. (No model.)

of Ohio, have invented certain new and 115e-,

ful Improvements in Mining-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvementsiir mining machinery, the object of my inven, tion being to provide a machine of simple1 construction especially adapted for mining coal and similar substances.

My. invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts hereinn after described, and set forth in the claims.

I n the accompanying' drawings, Figure l is a plan of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged View, partly in section, of a portion of the cutting and holding mechanism and its supporting- Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a planframe. and cross-section of the endless belt or chain cutters which I preferably use. Fig. o is a detailed view of a portion of the i'nechanism for automatically throwing out or disengaging the feed. Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in section, of the mechanism for operating the feeding device. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation of the main frame and a portion of its supportingmechanism, showing the arrangement ofw the jack or fastening device for holding the main frame in position. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the manner of drivinga portion of the cutting mechanism, which forms a part of the holding device and which will be more fully referred to hereinafter.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout the several views.

In the said drawings, A A represent the main frame of the device, which consists, essentially, of the longitudinal bars a a and transverse connecting-bars a a', the main frame being also preferably provided with under supporting strips or runners e2, extending longitudinally under each of the framepieces a, the said strips or runners a2 being adapted to facilitate the movement of the machine to different positions.

Located upon the main frame A A and adapted to slide upon the longitudinal pieces a a is a moving frame or carriage B B, which carries the cutting mechanism and is adapted to be fed longitudinally along the main frame in a manner hereinafter more fully described. Extending longitudinally along the main frame A A is a power-shaft A2, which is su pported in suitable bearing-stands A3 A5 at eaclrend of the main frame A A. This shaft A2 receives motion from a vertical shaft A7, located at one end 0f themaehine, through the medium of beveled gears b b', the vertical shaft A7 being supportedin suitable bearings b2 h2 in the supporting-standA A2. The power to drive the machine is supplied to the vertical shaft A7, preferably through the medium of a rope or cable to a driving sheave or pulley A11 Afrom any convenient source of supply.

Connected to the rearend of the traveling frame B B is a supporting stand or frame B', provided at the top with suitable bearings c c te receive the power-shaft A2, the said bearings being adapted to move longitudinally along said shaft and at the same time permit a rotary movement of said shaft therein.

Supported in suitable bearings c2 c3 in the supporting-stand B is a vertical shaft B2, pro* vided at its upper end with a beveled gear e5,

which meshes with a beveled pinion c7, which turns with the power-shaft A2. The lineshaft A2 is provided throughout the greater portion of its length with a keyway CZ. In the keyway and extending between the bearings c and c isa spline or feather ril', connected rigidly to the beveled pinion c7 and to a collar ou, which rest, respectively,against the bearings c and c', and thus prevents longitudinal movement of the said pinion with reference to the supporting-stand B', means being thus provided whereby the motion of the power-shaft A2 is transmitted to the vertical shaft B2, while at the same time the traveling frame B B and supporting-stand B are permitted a longitudinal movement with reference to the main frame and to said lineshaft.

It should be noted that the power-shaft A2 is held against longitudinal movement through the bearing-stands AS A5. This is preferably accomplished by placing a collar b5, adapted VIOO . ence to the mai-n frame.

rigidl y together.

to bear against the bearing-stand A5, While the beveled gear b bears against the other bearing-stand A3, the collar b5 being preferably held in place by a retaining-nut b1', the shaft being turned down and threaded for this purpose.

The traveling frame B B is provided with longitudinal bars e e, which rest upon the longitudinal bars a ct of the main frame, the traveling frame being constructed slightly wider than the distance between the inner edges of the lnain frame-bars a a, so that the bars e e overlap the frame-bars a a sufficiently to form a bearing for the parts, as shown in Figs. l and 8.

The bearing-stand A5 on the main frame A `A is preferably formed with a yoke or U- shaped bottom, and is connected to the longitudinal bars a a of the main frame through the medium of one of the cross-bars a, all the parts being preferably riveted or otherwise rigidly secured together. The bars e e of the traveling frame are adapted to bear against the sides of the U shaped portion of the bearing-stand A5, which thus forms lateral bearings for said traveling frame to prevent a lateral movement of the said frame with refer- (See Fig. 8.)

The traveling frame B B is provided at the front end with a transverse supporting-bar or bearing-support B3, which extends entirely across said frame and to some distance on either side of the main frameA A. This supporting-bar B3 consists, essentially, of two longitudinal plates e c2, connected rigidly to thev bars e e, the parts being preferably riveted At the outer extremities of this supporting-bar B3 are sprocket-wheels B5 B7, around which pass the endless chain or belt cutter C. This endless chain or belt cutter C receives its motion from a sprocketwheel B11 on the vertical shaft B3, idlers or guiding-wheels B12 being provided on either side of the frame to support the said belt' cutter and guide it onto the driving-sprocket B11. These idlers B12 are supported on outwardly-extending plates c3, connected to the longitudinal bars e of the traveling frame.

The endless belt or chain cutter C consists,1 essentially, of cutter heads or blocks f, con-V nected together by suitable connecting-links f', arranged at suitable intervals to receive.

theteeth ofthe sprocket-wheels. The cutter heads or blocks f are provided with cutters f3 f3 f5, the said cutters being adapted to travel in different parallel planes-z'. c., the first cutter extends straight out from the cutter-head at right angles to said cutter-head. The next cutter is provided with a bent shank, Which throws the cutter below the plane of the first cutter, the third cutter being pro` vided with a bent shank, which throws the cutter above the plane of the first cutter, each Athird cutter being thus adapted to travel in a different plane. The links and cuttervheads of the endless belt C are so formed that when the parts are extended, as shown in Fig. 4:, the backs of the respective links and cutter-heads stand flush and form a straight line.

The lower plate e of the supporting-bar B3 is made Wider than the upper plate e2, the front edge of said plate being extended beyond the upper plate. Fastened securely between the plates e and e3, preferably riveted thereto, is a guiding strip or bar e5, placed slightly back of the front edge of the upper plate e3. The front face of this guiding strip or bar e5 is arranged in a line tangent to the front of the sprocket-wheels B5 B7, so that the back of `the chain or belt cutter, in passing between said sprocket-Wheels, rests against and travels along said guide strip or har e5, the said links and blocks of said chain being adapted to iit'snugly between the said plates e e2. Each of the cutter heads or blocks f is extended beyond the front edges of the links f', the backs of the said links and blocks being arranged flush, as before described. The extended portion of each cutter-head f, however, is ent away at the bottom for a distance v equal to the thickness of the lower link f. Secured rigidly to the front edge of the plate e is a retaining-strip e7, of a thickness equal to the thickness of the links f', and arranged at a distance from the guide-strip e5 equal to the width of the said links. When the chain or belt cutter O is in position, this retaining-strip e7 comes in the cut-away portion of the cutter-head f and rests against the front edge of the lower links f of said endless belt or chain cutter. lt will be seen that in traveling between the sprocket-Wheels B5 and B7 the endless chain or belt cutter will thus be held firmly in position against lateral or vertical movement in either direction.

It will be understood from the description thus far'that the motion imparted to the d riving-shaft A7 will be communicated to the endless belt or chain cutter C, supported on the traveling frame B B. Means are provided for feedingthis traveling frame forward along the main frame A A. The traveling cutter is thus brought in contact with the bank of coal or other mineral and forms an under-cut or incision in the bank or vein.

To provide for feeding the traveling frame forward automatically asthe cutters perform their operation, I employ a longitudinal shaft D, having a bearing ateach end in the bearing-supports A3 and A5 and screw-threaded for the greater portion of its length, as shown in Figs. l and 2. This screw-threaded shaft 'D is held against longitudinal movement in This pinion 'L is provided IOO IIO

manner, on the shaft D. A shifting-lever h3 is adapted yto throw the clutch-collar h3 in con- 'tact with the pinion h, and thus cause the screw-threaded shaft D to revolve with said pinion.

Secured rigidly to the screw-threaded shaft D and at the other side of the clutch-collar is a spur-gear t', adapted to receive motion from a spur-pinion t" on the line-shaft A2, through the medium of an intermediate gear t2. construction the spur-gear i and the shaft D are caused to rot-ate in an opposite direction to the spur-gear h, which turns loosely on the shaft. The intermediate gear 2 is journaled on a suitable supporting-stud i3 on an L- shaped shifting-bar 715, journaled or pivoted on the power-shaft A2. A spring-latch j in a supporting-standard j is adapted to hold the shifting-lever 'i5 in position to cause tho intermediate gear 712 to engage with thespurgear i on the screw. W hen said latch is withdrawn, the shifting-lever t5 will drop down7 causing the intermediate gear to be disengaged from the spur-gear t. If now the clutch h3 is thrown into engagement with the spur-gear h2, t-he screw-threaded shaft D will be revolved in the opposite direction.

Located in the supporting-stand B and se-` cured thereto is a screw-threaded nut 7c,

adapted to engage with and travel on the screw-threaded shaft D. It will be seen now that as the shaft D is revolved in either direction the traveling frame B B, together with the endless-belt cutter, will be carried forward or back along the main frame A A.

To provide for automatically throwing the feed mechanism out of gear when the traveling frame has reached the limit of its forward travel, I furnish a connecting-rod Z, attached to the spring-latch j, said connecting-rod being preferably extended the entire length of the main frame A and journaled in suitable bearings thereon. I provide a movable collar l', adapted, as the traveling frame is moved forward, to be cngaged by a projecting arm Z2 on the supporting-stand B', and thus move said connectingrod longitudinally and withdraw the springlatch j from contact with the'shifting-lever By means of the adjustable collar l means are provided for disengaging the feed and thus stopping the forward movement of the traveling frame at any desired point in tho length of its travel, after which it may be returned to its original position by causing the clutch a5 to engage with its pinion, and thus reversing the movement of the feedingshaft D.

I preferably construct the bearing in the standard A3, which supports the feeding-shaft D, so that said shaft maybe disengaged and the spur-geart' removed and other gears of different sizes be inserted in its stead to provide for different speeds in the forward feeding of the traveling frame, the intermediate gear being made of sufficient size to engage with any of said gears when placed thereon.

`Forholding the traveling frame B B against (See Fig. 7.) It will be seen that by this On this connecting-rod l,

lateral movement in the operation of the cutting device when said frame has been moved outwardly from the main frame I furnish an additional or auxiliary cutter adapted to cut a channel immediately above the incision or kerf made by the endless-belt cutter, and furnish on said traveling frame a holding projection adapted to engage in said channel as the frame is advanced, and thus prevent any side or lateral movement of the traveling frame. This I preferably accomplish as follows: Immediately above and slightly back of the line of cut of the endless-belt cutterI place a reciprocating cutter or chisel E, having a bearing near its outer end in a bearingbox m, through which it is adapted to reciprocate, the said boi m being preferably formed rectangular in cross-section and of a size substantially equal or slightly less than that of the reciprocating cutter E. A reciprocatin g motion is given to the cutter E through the medium of a connecting-rod fm', which extends bacliwardly through the supportingstand B', and is connected to an eccentric E on the vertical shaft B2 on the travelin g frame. It will be seen now that as the shaft Bgrevolves to impart motion to the endless belt or chain cutter a reciprocating motion is imparted through the medium of the eccentric E to the reciprocating cutter E. This cutter', operating against the bank or veinimmediately above the kerf or incision formed by the endless-belt cutter, produces a channel substantially rectangular in shape and opening into said kerf or incision, into which the projecting bearingnienters as the traveling frame is advanced, thus holding said traveling frame firmly against lateral movement and against the thrust of the cutters as they advance into the mineral. To provide for adjusting the distance between the drivingsprocket B11 and the supporting-sprockets B5 B7, to loosen or tighten the endless-belt cutter, I connect the supporting-standard B to the frame B B by bolts n, which pass through slotted openin gs n i-n the longitudinal bars c of said traveling frame. The projecting bearing-box m is also similarly connected to the front portion of the frame by means of bolts a2, passing through slotted openings n3, the box m being preferably connected to a backwardlyproject-ing plate o, riveted or otherwise secured to the transverse supporting-bar B3.

To provide for holding the main frame in position, I furnish what I term the holdingjack, which is best illustrated in Fig. S.. This consists, essentially, of a spike or sharpened bar p, preferably formed at the outer part of rectangular shapein cross-section and adapted to pass through a similar-shaped opening in the sup porting-stand A5. This spike p is provided with an enlarged or swelled portion p', through which is extended a fastening-bolt p2, thus connecting thereto a screw-threaded bar '195, a pivoted connection being formed by means of the bolt p2 between the respective parts p and p3. Located on the screw-threaded IOO IIO

-bar p3 is a hand-nut p4, adapted to be elevated or depressed upon the said bar p3. Resting on the nut p4 is a tubular connection p5, which may be of any suitable length to extend to the top or ceiling of the gallery or mine in VWhich the machine is operated, this tubular connection being also provided with a spike or pointed end p6. The spike-shaped bar p is provided Wit-h an upper extended portion 1o p7, which projects slightly above the enlarged or swelled portion of said bar, so that When the screw-threaded bar p3 is turned on its pivoted center, so as to lie in a horizontal plane, the portion p7 extends above the said screwthreaded portion and is adapted to form a head, -upon which a hammer or sledge may be used to drive the spiked portion p3 into the floor or gallery of the mine, after Which the screw threaded portion is elevated to the properangle, and the tubular connecting-piece placed thereon and forced to the roof or ceiling by means of a hand-nut p4. It Will be seen by the construction that after the spike portion is started into the floor the frame is held against a lateral movement. When the upper extension is placed thereon, the top parts may be forced in opposite directions into the ceiling and the floor, respectively, and thus hold the frame firmly against any movement in either direction.

It will be seen that as thus constructed a machine which is simple and effective in its operation is provided. By the use of the supplemental cutter and the holding projection adapted to follow in a channel made by said cutter I am enabled to produce a machine in which a single endless cutting-belt is adapted to perform all the operation of cutting. By the construction, as described, of the transverse supporting-bar b3 and the formation of the belt-cutter the said cutter is held firmly against lateral or vertical movement and caused to travel positively in a straight line across the front of the machine, and thus produce a smooth even kerf or incision, the arrangement of the cutters or cutting-teeth being such as to secure a kerf or incision of sui table width and depth to admit the traveling frame and its necessary appurtenances.

It is obvious that the constructions shown and described admit of modifications in the details of constructions and arrangements Without departin from the spirit of my invention.

'I do not therefore limit myself t.o the exact construction set forth,but claim as my invention* 1. The combination, with a traveling frame andan endless-belt cutter, of an auxiliary cutter operating in a different plane from said endless-belt cutter, and a holding projection adapted to follow said auxiliary cutter into the kerf or incision made thereby to form a holder to operate against the thrust or force of the endless-belt cutter, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a traveling frame and an endless-belt cutterthereon, of a reciprocating auxiliary cutter arranged above and slightlyin the rear of the line-cut of said endless-belt cutter, a. holding projectionhaving substantially the same size as said auxiliary cutter and arranged in tl1e rear and in line with said cutter, and means, substantially as described, for imparting motion to said cutters, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the main frame and a traveling frame thereon, of a line-shaft and a feed-shaft on said main frame, means for imparting motion to said feed-shaft in either direction from said power-shaft, an endless-belt cutter, an auxiliary cutter, and a holding projection on said traveling frame adapted to follow said auxiliary cutter, and means, substantially as described, for imparting motion to said cutters from said line-shaft at the same time the travel-ing frame is moved by said feeding-shaft, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, With the main frame and a traveling frame thereon, of a powershaf t supported on said main frame, a vertical shaft on said traveling frame, an endlessbelt cutter adapted to be engaged by a sprocket-Wheel on said vertical shaft, and an auxiliary reciprocated cutter operated by an eccentric on said vertical shaft, a holding projection following said auxiliary cutter, and means for communicating motion from said line-shaft to said vertical shaft, substantially as specified.

5. rlhe combination, With a traveling frame, of an endless-belt cutter having cutting teeth or projections traveling in dierentparallel planes, a transverse supporting-bar for supporting and guiding said endless-belt cutter at the front end of said traveling frame, and an auxiliary cutter adapted to reciprocate in a bearing secured to said transverse bar, said bearing being arranged in line with and adapted to follow said auxiliary cutter to form a holding device to operate against the action of said endless-belt cutter, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, with a main frame and a traveling frame, of a power-shaft on said main frame, andave'rtical shaft on said traveling frame, an endless-belt cutter and an auxiliary cutter adapted -to receive motion from said vertical shaft, a holding projection arranged in line with and adapt-ed to follow IOO IIO

said auxiliary cutter, and means for comf municating motion from said line-shaft to said vertical shaft as said traveling frame is advanced in relation to said main fran1e,s`ub stantially as specified.

7. rlhe combination, with a traveling frame having a transverse supporting-bar, of an endless-belt cutter consisting of a series of cutter-heads f, connected together by links f', said cutter-heads being each extended forward of said links, and each being cut away at the bottom equal to the width of said link and supporting-strip c5 on said transverse bar, and a retaining-strip eadapted toengage in for imparting motion to said endless-beltoutier and said auxiliary cutter, substantially as speeiied.

9. The combination, in a mining-machine,

of an endless-belt cutter, a transverse holding-bar, over which said belt Cutter is adapted to pass, and a reciprocating auxiliary cutter supported in a bearing secured to said bar,said bearing formed of a Size substantially equal to the out of said auxiliary cutter and adapted to follow in the korf of the same, substantially as specified. Y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of March, A. D. 1890.

FRANCIS M. LECHNER.

Witnesses:

CHAs. B. MoLiNG, WILLIAM E. MoLING. 

